A winning design by Louis Shellback gave Nevada its simple sprigs of sagebrush, the state flower, and a silver star, representing the famous Comstock Lode discovered in Nevada NV in 1859, one of the richest deposits of silver and gold ever found. Silver and gold are still Nevada's state colors. The sagebrush is honored, as it served both as food for cattle and medicine for the early ranchers, who were taught how to use it by the Native Americans. The words, "Battle Born," stand for Nevada's admission to the Union during the Civil War.Nevada State Flag Adopted: 1929